During Operation Walrus Chimera ATF operated by the Libertarian Governance defense forces wiped out a force of 250 Harriers, F-18s and Su-33 of the Romagna Miei. Not one Chimera was loss in this engagement.
- Tailless design that gives this aircraft a better RCS then ANY competitor plane
A refrigerated fuel system allowing for active cooling to substantially lower the aircraft infra-red signature
Tailless design and thrust vectoring that give it maneuverability of -4g and +10g
Ultra fast avionics built on supercomputer grade processors
Overview:
The Chimera ATF was a child of the X-17 and X-19 concepts put forth during the fighter trials that led to the adoption of the Valkyrie IDS. In that competition the X-17 and X-19 both took the path of high stealth and capable electronic suites while the Valkyrie IDS took the path of maneuverability and low observability. The Valkyrie won that competition due to its exceptional dog fighting characteristics, its powerful electronics and its overall survivability.
The governments parameters for the Advanced Tactical Fighter were to develop an aircraft with the ability to operate from carriers and take the fight to the enemy. This meant that the aircraft would often be forced to penetrate heavily defended enemy areas. The ability to conducted lengthy combat air patrols were also an important consideration. The aircraft needed all weather operation, an effective strike ability with the use of stand off weapons preferred and the ability to penetrate heavily defended enemy air defenses.
Rushing Aircraft Company borrowed from its X-17. Rushing married a slippery high stealth airframe to the electronics package, including LPI radar and multi-spectral sensors, used in the Valkyrie thus cutting development cost. Rushing also developed a digital electronic warfare ability by attached wing pods. Though Rushing would go far beyond an updated X-17 by taking a look at a test craft called the Hummingbird.
The Hummingbird was a tailless research aircraft designed to determine the feasibility of thrust vectoring and tailless design that flew in the early 90's. The Hummingbird had proven its design in over 500 test flights and managed to achieve controlled flight at a 70° angle of attack.
The Hummingbird design had an inherently lower RCS then aircraft with tails. Therefore, Rushing decided to build their ATF from the ground up to be a tailless stealth aircraft. In initial test and comparisons the Chimera ATF showed a superior ability to penetrate enemy air defense. Stealth, super maneuverability and electronics give the Chimera respectable air to air capability.
Airframe:
There are two broad aspects of RCS minimization techniques. One falls under the effort to restructure the frame, and covers the geometric design considerations that are taken into account when aiming for a low RCS. The other principle is referred to as “radar absorbent materials” and is concerned with the materials that help to reduce the reflectivity of the airframe, as well as the structures that will support these materials and integrate them into the airframe often referred to as “Radar-absorbent structures”. These two path are of course not taken in isolation during the design; trade-offs have to be made between them in the design of the Chimera.
The most efficient way to reflect radar waves back to the transmitting radar is with orthogonal metal plates, forming a corner reflector consisting of either a dihedral or a trihedral. This configuration occurs in the tail of a conventional aircraft, where the vertical and horizontal components of the tail are set at right angles. To reduce this effect the Chimera was designed as a tailless airplane.
This tailless design results in an exceptionally maneuverable aircraft with outstanding low observability features. The fuselage and canopy have sloping sides. The canopy seam, bay doors and other surface interfaces are saw-toothed. The engine face is deeply hidden by a serpentine inlet duct and weapons are carried internally.
The tailless design utilizes a modified Lambda wing design mounted at the rear of the aircraft and supported by a slight delta shaping which moves towards the aircraft cockpit. The wing is constructed of nearly 90% composites reinforced with carbon nanotube doped carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The Chimera can maintain a constant angle of attack of over 60° and utilizes split ailerons, deflectable slats on the leading edge, thrust vectoring and a powerful fly by optics system.
The Chimera was designed with low observance throughout the entire spectrum of sensors including radar signature, visual, infrared signature, acoustic, and radio frequency as primary considerations. The low radar signature is due to a combination of factors which include special shaping techniques that include double curvature surfaces, the use of radar absorbent material, and attention to detail such as hinges and pilot helmets that could provide a radar return.
The engines use radar-absorbent material-coated S-shaped intake ducts that shield the compressor fan from reflecting radar waves. The intakes are designed through careful shaping of the airflow to prevent engine surge resulting in a compressor stall to enhance the top speed of the aircraft and performance at high angles of attack.
To disguise its infrared emissions and make it harder to detect by infrared homing surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles the Chimera uses a new ceramic-matrix RAM on its engine exhaust nozzles that is designed to reduce both the radar and IR signatures. Additionally, the aircraft uses a complicated series of paints and coatings. A new type of paint, or topcoat, first used to increase the Valkyrie's stealthiness by reducing its vulnerability to infrared threats is also applied to the Chimera. The topcoat protects the aircraft against a broad range of wavelengths and uses metal oxides for optimal radar cross section compatibility.
The Chimera is 40% titanium, 30% composite, 20% aluminum and 1% thermoplastic by weight. Titanium is used for its high strength-to-weight ratio in critical stress areas, including some of the bulkheads, and also for its heat-resistant qualities in the hot sections of the aircraft where it is combined with thermal coatings. Carbon-fiber composites have been used for the fuselage frame, the doors, the wings, and for the honeycomb sandwich construction of its skin panels.
The Chimera with its inherently unstable tailless design and 3D thrust vectoring is more maneuverable and agile than other fighters. In addition, the tailless design reduces the weight, drag and radar cross section of the aircraft. The Chimera includes a tailhook, concealed in a bay when not in use, to effect carrier landings.
The Chimera is tough and resistant to engine surge even during extreme maneuvers like classic, inverted and flat spins. This results in an aircraft capable of greater reliability and maneuverability. The Chimera is capable of performing a 180 degree turn. With such a high angle of attack the plane retains control and can perform such maneuvers as the Herbst maneuver, Pugachev's Cobra, and the Kulbit. The Chimera thrust vectoring nozzles, fly by optic system and tailless design allow the aircraft to turn tightly, and perform extremely high alpha (angle of attack) maneuvers.
Engine:
Thrust is provided by two ALTECH 30 low bypass turbofans with afterburning. The ALTECH 30 features 3D thrust vectoring technology. These engines allow the Chimera to fly in a different direction to where the nose is pointing. The nozzles can be pointed 32 degrees in either direction on the y axis, and 15 degrees in either direction on the x axis. The engine generates a larger thrust and has a complex automation system, to facilitate flight modes such as maneuverability. Each engine can independently vector its thrust upwards, downward or side to side. Vectoring one engine up with the other one down can produce a twisting force. Each ALTECH 30 produces 30,550 lbf (135.89 kN) of dry thrust and 42,000lbs lbf (186.82 kN) of thrust with afterburner.
The fuel is cooled to reduced temperatures which are substantially less than ambient temperature so that the volume of the fuel is reduced. The fuel is then stored in the fuel tanks while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures with the reduced volume of the fuel thereby allowing more fuel to be held. A further benefit of this method of fueling is that the energy value of the fuel per unit volume is increased. The onboard fuel cooling system uses liquid nitrogen as a fuel coolant. The refrigerated fuel system provides for more power and increased range through enhanced efficiency and greater fuel volume.
The refrigerated fuel is used to actively cool the aircraft leading edges and its engines tail pipes. This active cooling increases the aircraft resistance to infra-red tracking substantially. Not only does the aircraft have a very low RCS but it is much harder to track by heat seeking weapons. Both factors contribute to an aircraft that can get closer to the enemy and deeper into enemy air space.
Avionics:
The Chimera ATF shares the AN/APG-7 Active Electronically Scanned Array designed by Nemesis Electronic Systems for the Valkyrie IDS. The AN/APG-7 provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking of all targets in range, coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges as great as 200 miles (321 km). The radar features 15 kw of peak power and 120° Azimuth and elevation.
Designed for air superiority and strike operations, the AN/APG-7 features a low-observable, active-aperture, electronically-scanned array that can track 100 targets in any weather. The AN/APG-7 changes frequencies more than 2,000 times per second to reduce the chance of being intercepted. The radar can also use complicated search patterns that reduce the chance of detection.
The AN/APG-77 has a dedicated high resolution Synthetic-aperture radar mode. The radar can also focus its emissions to overload enemy sensors, giving the Chimera an electronic-attack capability. The AN/APG-7 transmits data at the rate of 600 Megabit per second while receiving data at 1 gigabit per second. This is the Chimera's primary connection to the combat network system. The aircraft also contains a dedicated SATCOM module to provide for combat network connectivity even on deep strike missions.
Three Nemesis Electronic Systems Common Integrated Processing Units (CIPU) are the “brains” of the Chimera avionics. Each CIPU is composed of twin quad core processors, each with four cores on one die and an integrated memory controller, front side bus and 4 megabyte cache. Each core can process 13.1 billion instructions per second. Each CIPU has 8 gigabyte of memory. Each CIPU, which is the size of an oversized bread box, supports all signal and data processing for all sensors and mission avionics. Additionally, information can be gathered from the radar and other onboard and offboard systems, filtered by the CIPU, and offered in easy-to-digest ways on several cockpit displays, enabling the pilot to remain on top of complicated situations.
Each CIPU is a sealed unit that is actively cooled by the aircraft's refrigerated fuel system. Like any liquid cooled computer case the CIPU runs cooler and as designed provides for greater resistance to the elements.
The AN/ALR-9 radar warning receiver has been demonstrated detecting radars at ranges as long as 400 nmi (740 km). This radar warning receiver allows the Chimera ATF to limit its own radar emission to preserve its stealth. The AN/ALR-9 is composed of over 30 antennas smoothly blended into the wings and fuselage that provide all around coverage plus azimuth and elevation information. As a target approaches, the receiver can cue the AN/APG-7 radar to track the target with a narrow beam, which can be as focused down to 1° by 1° in azimuth and elevation.
The Electronic Optical Targeting System (EOTS) augments the AN/APG-7 and includes a laser designator and tracker (60,000' attitude) for guiding laser-guided bombs, cryogenically cooled FLIR receiver and CCD television cameras mounted under the nose of the aircraft.
Eight additional passive infrared/Ultra violet sensors are distributed over the aircraft as part of Nemesis Electronic Systems' AN/AAQ-7 distributed aperture system (DAS), which performs several important functions. The DAS acts as a missile warning system, reports missile launch locations, detects and tracks approaching aircraft spherically around the Chimera, and replaces traditional night vision goggles for night operations and navigation. DAS functions are performed simultaneously, in every direction, at all times.
Sensor fusion combines data from all onboard and offboard sensors into a common view to prevent the pilot from being overwhelmed. The Chimera cockpit is all glass without any conventional instrumentation. The centerpiece are four multi-function heads down displays which are manipulated by means of softkeys, touch screen, XY cursor and voice command. The Symmetriad AHG-1 helmet features the latest avionics systems, including a full projected helmet-mounted display, active noise cancellation, and a filtered microphone to improve the work of voice control systems and replaces the traditional heads up display.
The DVI system used by Nemesis Electronics is a speaker-dependent system that provides the pilot command and control of all non-critical cockpit functions. Confirmation of voice commands is either visual or aural. This system is capable of sending text based orders to other aircraft or facilities through the aircrafts AESA based datalink.
Emergency escape is provided by a Symmetriad Laertes IV Advanced Ejection Seat. Furthermore, the pilot wears a Symmetriad AMS-4 g-suits with built-in air management and health monitoring systems.
The Chimera uses combined radio frequency and infrared (SAIRST) situational awareness to track all nearby aircraft continually with the pilot's helmet-mounted display system (HMDS). The Chimera uses fibre optic cabling and circuitry is composed of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) for protection against electromagnetic interference or EMP attack where possible. Additional protections are provided by utilization of antennas and power connections with surge protectors designed specifically to defend against EMP attack, the cockpit is coated with a conductive coating, and all doors and wiring/tubing pathways through protective shielding is sealed with conductive gaskets.
Armaments:
Armaments include an internal 20 mm (0.787 in) M31A2 six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style cannon, which fires 20 mm rounds at 6600 rpm in starboard wing root with 480 rounds with a remotely operated door that shields the gun from radar when not in use. A bomb bay carries the Chimera's standard ordinance internally. Many more missiles, bombs and fuel tanks can be attached on wing pylons near wingtip positions at the expense of stealth.
Countermeasures:
Countermeasures include the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars which can act as an ECM device to track, locate and eventually jam enemy radar. The electronic attack capability is developed enough that a Chimera can burn out unshielded electronics. 60 flares and 60 chaff are carried in two side mounted dispensers.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 67.9 ft (20.69 m)
Wingspan: 45.2 ft (13.77 m )
Height: 18.44 ft (5.5m)
Wing area: 667 ft² (62.0 m²)
Empty weight: 48,500 lb (18,400 kg)
Loaded weight: 70,050 lb (31,774.15 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 87,000 lb (39,462.53 kg)
Powerplant: 2 x ALTECH 30
Dry thrust: 30,550 lbf (135.89 kN)
Thrust with afterburner: 42,000lbs lbf (186.82 kN)
Fuel capacity: 24,310 lb (11,026 kg) internally or 32,700 lb (14,832.14 kg) with two external fuel tanks.
Performance:
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2.25
Supercruise: Mach 1.6
Range: 2,000 nmi (2,440 mi, 3,926 km with 2 external fuel tanks)
Combat radius: 600 nmi (690 mi, 1,110 km)
Ferry range: 3,417 miles (5,500 km)
Service ceiling: 70,000 ft (21,336 m)
Wing loading: 79.4 lb/ft² (360 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1.15
Maximum g-load: -4.0/+10.0 g
Armament:
Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M31A2 Gatling gun in starboard wing root, 500 rounds
Air to air loadout:
8× Spike AMRAAM
4× Spectre BVRAAM
Air to ground loadout:
4× Spike AMRAAM and
2× Spectre BVRAAM for self-protection, and one of the following:
4× 1,000 lb (450 kg) JDAM or
4× Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMDs) or
16× 250 lb (110 kg) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
Hardpoints: 4 × under-wing pylon stations can be fitted to carry 600 gallon drop tanks or weapons, each with a capacity of 5000 lb
Price: 285,500,000
DPR Price: 285,500,000,000
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